Pulley mounting device for meat saw with tensioning means therefor



March 4, 1958 E. c. KARP r Ax. 2,825,359

PULLEY MOUNTING DEVICE FOR MEAT SAW WITH TENSIONING MEANS THEREFOR 2 sheets-sheet 1 mmunuwlm aww Filed March 29, 1956 March 4, 1958 E. c. KARP ET AL 2,825,369

- PULLEY MOUNTING DEVICE FOR MEAT SAW WITH TENSTONTNG MEANS TMEREFOR Y 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 29. 1956 Unite rates pas PULLEY MOUNTENG DEVECE FR MEAT SAW WITH TENSIQNING MEANS THEREFR Application March 29, 1956, Serial No. 574,793

2 Claims. (Cl. 143-27) The invention relates to power meat saws of the type employing a saw blade in the form of a continuous metal band and has reference more particularly to a meat cutting device of this character having a novel and improved hanger assembly providing journalling means for the top pulley of the band saw.

One of the objects of the invention is to provide a hanger assembly for the top pulley of a continuous band saw as employed in meat cutting devices which will be adjustable vertically for varying the tension on the band saw and wherein the said hanger assembly will additionally incorporate a pivotally adjustable bearing member whereby the shaft which journals the top pulley can be adjusted with respect to the horizontal to insure proper tracking of the band saw. Y

A more specific object of the invention is to provide a power meat saw of the type described which will incorporate mechanism for supporting the hanger assembly and which in turn will be adjustably supported from the frame of the meat cutting device so that the position of the hanger assembly can be varied in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the band saw whereby improved means are provided for manually varying the tension on the band saw.

Another object of the invention resides in the provision of improved supporting mechanism for a hanger assembly as above described which will incorporate a bearing member, said member being pivotally supported by the hanger assembly and thus being adjustable with respect to the horizontal so as to vary the position of the top pulley as regardsits vertical alignment, whereby to facilitate proper tracking of the band saw and improvemen in the operation of the meat cutting device.

A further object of the invention is to provide a hanger assembly for supporting the top pulley of the band saw, said assembly including a bearing member for journalling the shaft and which in turn mounts the top pulley, and wherein said assembly also includes a yoke for pivotally supporting the bearing member by means of laterally extending pintles whereby the entire assembly may be ad-i justed vertically by varying the position of the yoke member, with the horizontal positioning of the shaft being adjustable independently thereof as a result of the pivotal support of the bearing member by'means of its laterally extending pintles.

A further object is to provide a factory'preealibrated tension device for a power meat saw which in combination will include an adjusting knob for varying the tension on the band saw, the said knob having an indicator line formed thereon which when positioned' flush with the top mounting plate will assure an accurate and safe cut with the Yminimum of wear.

With these and various other objects in view, the invention'inay consist ofV certainV novel features of construe arent rice invention and wherein like reference characters are used to designate like parts- Figure 1 is a perspective View of a power meat saw embodying the improved features of the present invention;

Figure 2 is an elevational view, parts being shown in section, of the adjustable hanger assembly for the top pulley of the band saw mechanism;

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken substantially along line 3 3V of Figure 2; and

Figure 4` is a sectional View taken substantially along line 4*-4 of Figure 2.

The power meat saw selected for illustrating the present invention is best shown in Figure l wherein the construction includes a base generally indicated by numeral 19, having two side doors: 1l and l2 provided with door knobs such as 13, the` said base lll being suitably elevated from the floor by means of a base support l5, which is so constructed as to make possible easier iloor cleaning. The base lll is also provided with a top frame member 16 which is formed to provide side channels i7' and 18 for accommodating rollers (not shown) for mounting theY table 2i) for back and forth reciprocating movement with respect to the said top frame member.

The base lil of the present meat saw is additionally provided with a back or rear work table 22 raving a rear ilange such as 23. The back table 22, which is preferably hinged to the base l0 along the left hand edge thereof to permit pivoting of the table, is provided along its right hand edge with a gage plate 24 for accurately gauging the thickness of the slice to be cut by the band saw. he adjusting mechanism for the gauge plate, and which mounts the plate on the right hand edge of the table 22, includes a carriage 2S, the same incorporating a ratchet lock and release lever (not shown) whereby the operator by manipulation of the lever can free the gage plate, permitting transverse movement thereof. For a more` particular description of the power meat saw as described, including the pivoted back table and adjustable gage plate, reference is made to applicants copending application Serial No. 559,024, tiled January i3, 1956, and entitled Meat Saw.

Projecting upwardly from the base lil and rearwardly of the back table 22 is a band saw and pulley housing 26, the same accommodating the upper pulley 27 andthe band saw 28. The upper pulley 27 is fixed to shaft 3l), the said shaft being suitably journalled for rotation by struc-ture to be presently described in detail. pulley 31 for the band saw is located within the base il! and said lower pulley is suitably journalled by shaft 32 provided for the purpose and which is driven by power means (not shown) located within the base on the opposite side of the intermediate wall 33. The band saw 23 is accordingly mounted by the upper and lower pulleys 27 and 3l in a manner to permit movement of the band saw for performing a cutting operation, during which operation a selected portion of meat is placed on the reciprocating table 20, and after the thickness of the cut has been adjusted by means of the slice thickness guide or gage plate 24, theV reciprocating table is moved to the left to bring the meat into Contact with the cutting edge of the band saw 2S.

it is desirable to guide the band saw at a point intermediate the pulley housing 26 andthe work tables 21'3 and 22. Accordingly, a guide for the band saw 2S is provided, the same being identified by numeral 34, and which is suspended from housing 26 in a manner per mitting up and down movement of the guide whereby its guiding effect on the band saw can be adiusted Within limits. The blade guide 3d is secured to a slidable stem 3S which is mounted for slidable movement in the front plate 35 of housing 26|,V and the stem is maintained:

inoperative relation by the retaining. plate 37. The

The lowerV o ballo-bearing device 44.

Vknob 38 enables the operator Ato lock said stern in any Yposition while resiliently held` in Vany verticalrposition within the limits of its movement,by` spring pressure maintained against a friction disc.j Eonsaidjadjustment the operatorV graspstrthe finger npiece39, and`the blade Y guide can be moved either Vupror downandV then, left in a particularV .vertical position such as may be` desired by the operator.` .Y t o `Y The invention provides VaV hanger assembly, as best shown Vin Figures 2,13 and 4, for'supportingV the shaft l30. 'Referring more particularlyito `Figui-cs2 and 3, the said shaft 30 at the -left hand end thereof is journalled by means of a cylindrical bearing member 40'which has pintles 41 projecting-therefrom on diametrically opposite sides. The bearingrassenibly. includes a pair of end closure plates 42, which'are suitably secured tothe bear- Y Aing Ymember by YmeansV YY,of screws 43, and which 'retain Y Y the journalled portiou'Yof the shaft within the said bearing member and inY operative r association with ball-bearing devices suchas 44.r -Both ends of thegsha'ft project through the center openingsA in their respective ballfbearv ing devices, as, for example the end 451 projects-through the center vopening provided therefor VYin the ,left 'hand Ina similar manner theV end-46 projects through auY opening providedVY therefor-in the desired tensionfronV the band ,saw` is secured'by rotating" the indicator vknob 66.- Y When the knob isrotated inrone; direction it will travel downwardly on the `threads 62,V

' and when the indicator line isfapproxim'ately flush withQ` Y l Y 4 o Y turn supports the bearing connection ofthe yoke with .the pintles41, and thusthe bearing member, the shaftrSt) journalledthereby, and

the upperrpulley 27 are adjustable` vertically for Y.vary- `V ing the tension to .whichothegzband saw is subjected. V The `thus elevating-the hanger assemblyto increase jthe4 tension on theKYband saw. VConversely, when Ythe knob f66 is rotated in a reverse directiom it will travel upwardly on the threads Y62,'and as a: result thehanger assembly will be lowered to decrease Ithe tension on the band's'aw.

The cylindrical portionof the indicator'knob 66 4may be used as an indicator of thetension appliedto the Y 'Y band saw independent of ,variations in blade length since ythe extent towhich said sleeve mayprojectlabove the top of the cup member 61will'v`ary inversely as the ap-V plied tension. Accordingly, V.an indicatorrline 67 `canfbe l formed on the cylindricalportion of the.. indicator knob the 'top'ofthe cup member theV operator will'know that mounted'r on the reduced end 46 of shaftYStl the tapered Knut 48, isothreaded on the end of the shaft and saidinut 'Y functions to lock the' upper pulley to theshaft and backingtplate, with the pinand slot connection assuring ro-Y tation ofthe shaft Vupon operation of the pulley.

' Y .The intermediate-wall 52 Vof the housing 26 providesk a pair ofretainer flanges 53, suitably held to the wall by the screws 54' and which are approximately .L'fshapedY ,ini cross section, whereby the'top ledge ,of eachtange 1 i i Vhas overlying relation with its respective pintle 41 and 'which accordingly functionsas a Vretaining member for Vthe said pintle sothat the 'pintles and'thus Vthe bearingY member are Vguided intheir vertical movement, whichtakes place upon vertical adjustment ofthe vyoke ofthe hangerassembly.y Y

The said yke'is indicated VYby numeral 56, the same Y having vangular slots 57 formed in the lower endof each arm of theV yoke Yfor receiving-'one of the pintles 41. i hub Y58vvhich maybe formed integral with V.the yoke, or

The

which may be'welded thereto,.provides means forxed-V ly attaching the VstudV 60'togthe yoke, whereby theistud,` the hub-portion and the yoke constitute a 'unitary assem- Y bly. VYThestudo6t) extends throughY thecup'member 261 'to project some distanceV above the cup member andY'this' the band saw is under thefproper tension. Excessive Y' tension will overload the bearings and'Ymightieven cause Ythe band saw to break, whereas,Y too little tensionjwill permitY the Y,bandi-saw to wander.V Withr'proper VtensionY the saw bladeowillz'cut accurately, safely, and; withfa `rninirnum ofwear."

l The hanger' assembly has a further :adjns'toient for Y 2;, member 40 has the stem70 suitably bra'zedftheretoa'nd Y so located on `the top Vside ofthe bearing mer'nberfas/to;Y

shaft '30, as best illustrated VYin "Figure project upwardly" therefrom. Said stem rfatfits`V top -end carries the set screw71xw'hich hasctactwith member 72 'fixed to the intermediat'ewall 5.2 on -the leftlsideofVv said fwalli `Thus by adjusting the set screwf71 the hriff? t zontal positioning ofV the bearing 'member VfillandfYthu'sV the horizontal positioning of shaft 30 can be 'variedf It` Y is possible to positionV shaftV on Vthe exact horizontal whereby to locate the npper'pulley 27 on the true'vert# Y Y cal. It is also possible to vso 'locatesetrscrew 71V` toV tilt the threaded'end 46 Vof. thersha'ft 30 inanupward- Ydirection. or to lowerY saidv Vthreaded 'endrwherebyfthe vertical inclination of the upper pulley'can be adjusted ,o o

`for the best trackingfof thev band sawlon saidV pulley.,

Accordingly, the upper 4pulley VVforthe band saw of the meat cutting device Y`asdisclosed can be'radjusted'v'erticallyfto vary Ythetension onYthe band'i'saw and 4ther'sar'ner can also be adjusted to varyv its tilt or inclination lwith YY respect to the fvertcal.V lThe'bearingfassemblygincluding the member 40 having the 'side pintles 41 ,fi',spivotallyfa suspended from the spaced arms ofthe yoke 56. YWhatever may be the vertical adjustment as Yregards' ithe'rfyokeit ispossible to vary? the'tilt ofYthejb'earing -as'sembly- Y independentlyv thereof.gAlsolrotationfof ,the indicator j knob 66 Yto vary-the; tension Yon v,the bandsaw vwill 'not V l affect the setting of the. set screw V 71,fvvhich. determines top projecting end of the stud 6),Yis threaded asindicatedVY ,Y

i Vby Vnumeral 62.Vlr The c'up'member 61 has topY overlying flanges which YreceiveV retaining screws 63. for fastening Y Vthe cup member toY thefpulley'housing, with the cyliny drical'bodyportion' ofthe c p memberV depending WithintheV` housing. The Vstud 60 of the yoke extendsrthrrough `Y 'Y the coilfrspring 64, vthrough thefriction washer and thrust Ybearing 65, and through the indicating knob 66, the in- Y .dicating knob'beingthreaded'on said end 6,2 of Vthe stud. ThercoilV spring'64 ischnned between the .bottom of the Ycup member and the friction washer and ,thrustbear-r ing 65,;and accordinglyiheyolge V56j is resiliently sus! .YpendedV` by said" coil spring, `with adjnstment, as Vregards Y i -thepvertical positioning. of thi?` YOke, being effected VbyV the tilt adjustmentfor theb'earing.VV

' The invention Vis not'pt'o lie-limi art without dcparting'frorn the scopepof the claims; g Y Y Y A* What is claimed is: l. In a power meatsaw; the

rnernber40 due Yto the' pivotal Y ed to VVor byY-.detailsfof Y,

' construction of the particular' embodiment thereof "illusi Y Y"trated by ,theVV drawings, as Yvarious, other Yforms Yoflthe Y device will of course be apparent tothose skilled inthe theYspiritof the 'invention ori combination. withlaV base. Y, rnemberproviding Van'upstanding pulleylhousin'gfzan ,up-5 per YpulleyY located within V and journ'alled by said :apnlley Y? Y housing, a'YlowerY` pulley rlocated withinland, journalled I by -said basemernber, aT band sawsuppor'ted" at respecfYi 1 Ytive endsfby said pulleys, the jonrna11ing'- means fonsaid'Y-i:Y

Y upper pulley including a bearing member Yhaying laterall Y` roprojecting'pintles, a shaft having one end thereofrotata-` upper pulley mounted on its opposite projecting end, a yoke providing spaced depending arms having slots therein for receiving the pintles respectively whereby to pivotally support the said bearing member, a threaded stud portion projecting upwardly from the center of the yoke, a cup member supported by the top wall and depending therefrom, said threaded stud portion extending through the cup member to project above the top wall of the housing, a coil spring within the cup member in surrounding relation With the threaded stud portion, an adjustment knob threaded to the projecting end of the stud, whereby said coil spring is confined between the cup member and the adjustment knob so that upon rotation of the knob the yoke can be adjusted vertically to in turn adjust the vertical position of the bearing member, an intermediate wall provided by the pulley housing and disposed between the yoke and the upper pulley, retainer flanges lxed to said wall on the yoke side and providing vertical passageways parallel with the wall for receiving said pintles, a stem Xed to the bearing member and projecting upwardly therefrom between the depending arms of the yoke, and a set screw threaded into the 6 stern at its upper end and having contact with said wall also on the yoke side, whereby adjustment of the set screw will operate to vary the horizontal disposition of the shaft and thus the vertical alignment of said upper pulley.

2. ln a power meat saw as defined by claim 1, wherein the shaft for the upper pulley has said opposite projecting end reduced in diameter and eXteriorly threaded, wherein the bearing member mounts the shaft for rotation with the threaded reduced end projecting exteriorly of the bearing member and to the pulley side of the intermediate wall, and additionally including a retainer nut on the threaded reduced end of the shaft for xedly securing the upper pulley to the said shaft.

Reerences Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,463,437 Steiner Mar. 1, 1949 2,481,675 Lasar Sept. 13, 1949 2,525,004 Spang Oct. 10, 1950 2,617,451 Fink et al Nov. 11, 1952 

